Jones settled in LA at the age of nineteen, doing the classic waiting tables stuff until she landed a recording contract with Warners. Her self-titled debut album in 1979 was a big success, as was the single, Chuck E.'s in Love, about her musician friend Chuck E. Weiss. At the 1980 Grammy Awards, she won a Grammy for Best New Artist, and also received four more nominations: for Record of the Year; Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female; Best Rock Vocal Performance, Female; and Song of the Year (for "Chuck E.'s in Love"). While none of her subsequent recordings achieved the same level of commercial success, Jones has continued releasing critically acclaimed albums that have explored a variety of sonic terrain from jazz standards to trip hop influenced works.
Jones' pursuit of jazz standards led to the recording of "The Moon Is Made of Gold" and "Autumn Leaves" for Rob Wasserman's album Duets in 1985. The latter track earned her another Grammy nomination. And in 1990, her duet with Dr. John, a cover of "Makin' Whoopee", earned the artist her second Grammy Award, this time in the category of Best Jazz Vocal Performance, Duo or Group.
At the time of recording her debut album, Jones was in a romantic relationship with Tom Waits; she is the girl draped over the car on the cover of his 1978 album Blue Valentine.
Early in her career, Jones was known for her drinking and substance abuse. She eventually tempered those demons, and came to terms with herself, and her own uncertain spirituality, and has maintained respect of her musical peers.
She's devoted to her talents, beyond music, one of which is raising her teenage daughter, and has even run her own political website and made music critiquing the Bush administration. She is involved in left-wing politics and community activism, partly through her web community, Furniture for the People (http://www.furnitureforthepeople.com/).
A greatest hits collection on Rhino called The Duchess of Coolsville was released in 2005.
In 2007 she signed to New West Records releasing The Sermon On Exposition Blvd, a record exploring lyrical territory inspired by Lee Cantelon's 1991 book The Words, which attempted to translate Christ's teachings into a more accessible contemporary format. Cantelon's friend, Guitarist Peter Atanasoff was instrumental in the creation of the eventual record.
Discography
1979: Rickie Lee Jones – Warner Bros.
1981: Pirates – Warner Bros.
1983: Girl at Her Volcano (EP) – Warner Bros.
1984: The Magazine – Warner Bros.
1989: Flying Cowboys - Geffen
1991: Pop Pop - Geffen
1993: Traffic From Paradise - Geffen
1995: Naked Songs - Reprise
1997: Ghostyhead – Warner Bros.
2000: It's Like This - Artemis
2001: Live at Red Rocks - Artemis
2003: The Evening of My Best Day – V2
2005: Duchess of Coolsville - Rhino
2007: Sermon On Exposition Boulevard - New West
2009: Balm in Gilead
My Funny Valentine
Rickie Lee Jones Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sweet comic valentine,
You make me smile with my heart.
Your looks are laughable, they're un-photographable,
But still, still you're my favorite work of art.
Is your figure less than Greek?
Is your mouth a little weak?
Please, don't change a hair for me
Not if you care for me
Stay my funny valentine, stay
Each day is my Valentine's Day
The song "My Funny Valentine" by Rickie Lee Jones is a tribute to a lover who is unconventional, but nonetheless cherished deeply. The song begins with the singer expressing her feelings of happiness in the presence of her lover. She describes this lover as her "funny valentine" and adds that he is a source of comic relief in her life. Even though he doesn't conform to societal standards of beauty, the singer is enamored with him, calling him her "favorite work of art."
The second stanza of the song acknowledges that the lover is not perfect. The singer asks if his "figure [is] less than Greek" and if his "mouth [is] a little weak." She is asking if he conforms to conventional standards of attractiveness and if he is a skilled conversationalist. Regardless of these perceived flaws, the singer still loves her partner just the way he is and asks him not to change anything about himself.
Overall, the song celebrates the quirks and imperfections that make a relationship unique and meaningful. The refrain of the song, "Each day is my Valentine's Day," reiterates the singer's deep affection for her partner.
Line by Line Meaning
My funny valentine,
My beloved, with your unique personality, you make me laugh and feel joy.
Sweet comic valentine,
You are my sweet and funny valentine who brings happiness to my life.
You make me smile with my heart.
Your love brings a genuine, heartfelt smile to my face.
Your looks are laughable, they're un-photographable,
Your appearance is so distinct and charming, it cannot be described or captured in a photograph.
But still, still you're my favorite work of art.
Despite your unconventional beauty, you remain as the most beautiful masterpiece to me.
Is your figure less than Greek?
Is your body shape not conforming to the idealized Greek figures?
Is your mouth a little weak?
Do you struggle with communicating your thoughts and feelings?
When you open it to speak, baby, are you smart?
Despite any communication barriers, I know you are intelligent.
Please, don't change a hair for me
I don't want you to change any aspect of yourself to please me.
Not if you care for me
If you truly love and care for me, please stay true to yourself.
Stay my funny valentine, stay
I want you to remain as my hilarious and unique valentine forever.
Each day is my Valentine's Day
Every day with you feels like a celebration of love and affection.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Lorenz Hart, Richard Rodgers
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Tony Cross
The best. Love RLJ doing this song. Heard it on live at the Volcano first. It hit me like a sledgehammer and I've been hooked ever since.
Ran Toole
Brilliant! The dynamics and emotion spoken is beyond words. The pianist profoundly tapped into the deepest realm of feelings possible.A magnificent performance, just timeless.
Joshua X
I saw Rickie Lee Jones in concert years ago. Maybe after Pirates. She was wonderful.
Stringworks
It is a magnificent performance. For those who haven't had the experience (which would be most of us), it might be difficult to image how privileged the pianist likely felt to have that opportunity, however impressive his resume. It's a rare and wonderful thing to be able to engage in such an intimate musical dance with a singer as uniquely creative as Ms. Jones.
Pibly
She’s a pop/jazz artist at heart.
Larry Waters
She’s an artist at heart.
Becky Larson
That was beautiful. She has heart and soul.
Ray.Pitts Songwriter
How do I turn this old and not have actually listened to Rickie Lee Jones .. I heard the name, never listened .. Just listened to Danny's All-Star Joint. First I ever listened .. Hell it's just perfect!
Warren Morphis
...Better late than never!! I heard the first album in 1979, and was hooked.
doolybugz
So much emotion and intensity when Rickie sings...makes me feel a certain way